A Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini, 2007 Khaled Hosseini was born in 1965 in Kabul, Afghanistan.

His father was an Afghan Foreign Minister and his mother was a Farsi and high school history teacher. In 1976, his family moved to Paris and relocated to San Jose, California in 1980, after the Soviet invasion in Kabul. In 1984, Khaled graduated high school and got his B.A. in biology from Santa Clara University in 1988. In 1993, he earned his medical degree from the University of California, San Diego. From 1996 to 2004, he interned at Cedars-Sinai medical center in Los Angeles. In 2001, he wrote his first book, The Kite Runner and his second, A Thousand Splendid Suns, in 2007.
Task Select 2-3 key areas or points made by the author that add to your professional learning and synthesize the ideas by making connections to other relevant research and current information to support the validity of the book content.

Response Point 1 Hosseini takes his reader on a journey into Afghanistans culture. Women play a major role in the book. A Thousand Splendid Suns is about two different women who meet in the midst of upheaval and chaos. At first they do not get along, but they begin to learn that the only way they will survive is if they unite against the man they both fear, their husband. Both women grew up with different expectations. Mariam was born out of a shameful affair, a harami. Mariam and her mother lived in a kolba in the outskirts of Herat. There was no life outside the little shack, nothing but rejection and heartache (Hosseini, 2007, p.19). On the other hand, Lailas father encouraged her to strive for something more, to be someone. He emphasized the importance of education because a society has no chance if its women are uneducated (Hosseini, 2007, p.114). However, war took its course and destroyed such dreams and hopes. Once the Taliban took over, any freedom given to women during Communist regime was taken away. A womans place was at home, living under her husbands rules. Women were expected to bear sons and if that was not possible their husbands mistreated them. The pain and heartache these women endured is unfathomable. Point 2 While reading the book, I noticed the cultural differences of cities within a country. One city continued with traditional practices while another moved

towards modern ways of thinking such as education for women. Hosseini brilliantly depicts the lives of the two women to show the cultural differences within Afghanistan. In a way, he addresses the generalizations and stereotypes of Afghans. He also describes the political upheavals of Afghanistan from the 1980s to 2001. Point 3 War is a part of life for Afghans. Many families have been destroyed due to the invasion of different countries and the civil wars within Afghanistan. War is something all Afghans share despite their cultural or ethnic differences. Hosseini depicts the ethnic differences and civil wars of a country to show the hardships endured by Afghans. People are culturally incompetent about the history and culture of Afghanistan. I am one of them. This book clarifies generalizations and stereotypes of Afghan people.
Elaborate on these key ideas (in previous task) by evaluating the ideas and applying the ideas to your understanding of intercultural competence.

Idea 1 & Idea 2: Cultures view the relationship between males and females differently. The United States views men and women as equal while other countries view men as superior. The role of women in Afghanistan is different and may be seen as unfair. Only in Kabul, a big city in Afghanistan, did women have some freedom. In Kabul, women walked around unaccompanied by a man wearing makeup, colored nail polish, high heels, dark sunglasses, perfume, skirts, and handbags (Hosseini, 75). More importantly, they walked around with no head coverings. On the contrary, other Afghan women walked around in burqas because a womans face is her husbands business only (Hosseini, 2007, p. 70). As an American woman who has the liberty to live life freely, this idea seems wrong. However, we have to understand that this is their way of life. Their religion requires women dress modestly and cover themselves from head to toe. I can relate to these women in a way. Growing up I was taught that wearing makeup, nail polish, plucking your eyebrows, and wearing jewelry was bad. This was normal to me because it was something I learned. Thus, culture is learned. We learn from those around us. I grew up with people who were taught the same thing. In this sense, I understand the limitations Afghan women have. The Bible says to dress modestly and as a result, my parents taught me to avoid anything that attracts attention, hence makeup, nail polish, and jewelry. Idea 3: History is crucial in understanding a countries culture. According to Lustig and Koester (2013), Warsreligious practicesand the allocation of powerare all historical developments that contribute to cultural differences (32). The Soviet invasion in the late 1970s and early 1980s left Afghanistan in destruction. After the Soviets were defeated, Afghans fought against each other for the power to rule. For the next twenty years, Communists ruled over Afghan. During this time, women had some freedom. Women could go to school and work during communist rule. However, the Taliban took control in the late 1990s. As a result, women lost all freedom. They could not work or go to school, see a male doctor, nor leave the house without a male. So, imagine being stripped from such freedoms. It was either they abide by the rules or die for disobeying. Women had no choice. They had children that needed them, as the women in the story. Mariam sacrificed her own life to save the lives of those she loved, Laiali and Aziza. There was no peace for women during this time.

Evaluate the content in relationship to your belief system/worldview. Describe and explain areas of compatibility and areas of differences.

I have been taught that a man is the head of the household. However, this does not justify a man to opt to violence and abuse when he thinks it necessary. The Bible states that men love their wives just as Christ loved the church (NKJV, Ephesians 5:25). There needs to be respect not just between husband and wife, but also between people. The mistreatment of women is only the beginning. Culture plays a major rule in ethnical differences. As a result, ethnic misunderstandings within a country lead to war and upheaval. As a Christian, I have been taught to seek peace and avoid conflict. I believe that differences should not bring about war and conflict, but understanding. We must be slow to speak and quick to listen. However, I know that does not work in all cultures. War is a prominent way of life for Afghans as portrayed in the novel. How do I even begin to understand their way of life and thinking if I do not understand their culture or what is normal for them? As an intercultural competent individual, I need to analyze the practices, beliefs, norms, and values of different cultures. We are so quick to judge and mark someone as wrong. I believe that everyone has a story that shapes who he or she is. If we were quick to listen, we would be able to find common ground and even relate to people of different cultures. I, now, understand the hardships Afghans have endured. I will not be swayed by the stereotypes made by individuals who are not culturally competent. As a society, we lack the ability to question the things we hear. We believe everything we hear and rely on the media to feed us information. Theory: Social Categorizing We make generalizations and stereotype other cultures. We are ethnocentric and think our way is the right way. Where do we get most of these generalizations? What comes to mind when you think of Afghanistan? For me, the word terrorists comes to mind. I have never stopped to ask where the generalization comes from. Now that I think of it, the media significantly influenced the way I, myself, perceive Afghanistan. After 9/11, Afghans were seen as terrorists who wanted to destroy the United States because they were jealous of our freedom (or so thats how I saw it). Therefore, I must first understand my own beliefs, values, norms, and social practices (Lustig & Koester, 146) to better understand those of others. Nature of Identity: Cultural identity- ones sense of belonging to a culture or group; it involves learning about traditions, language, customs, social practices of a certain culture Social identity- membership of a particular group in ones culture; People form groups depending on age, gender, work, education, location, common interests, or social class Personal identity- is based on a persons unique characteristics; These include abilities, interests, talents, and preferences. Each individual in a culture brings his or her own characteristics to the table.

Link the book content to one/several of the theories we are studying in this course. Provide a comprehensive overview of how the content of this book supports the development of intercultural competence.

How has this reading helped you personally develop a deeper conceptual knowledge for understanding yourself and others in a culturally competent manner? How has this study helped move you from novice to the expert /professional level as a sojourner?

Wow, I am shocked. The book, A Thousand Splendid Suns, captures the heartache and upheavals of the women in Afghanistan. The book portrays a life of war and loss. I always thought the Afghans were the bad guys. But they have a story of their own. We cannot take one group of people and generalize a whole country! The Taliban were an extreme Islamic group in Afghanistan that oppressed their own people. Not all Afghans are Taliban. It is almost like saying that all Germans are like Hitler or all Americans are like the KKK. If someone made that generalization about us wed be offended because it is not true. As interculturally competent individuals we need to do our research and analyze how our values and beliefs influence the way we view others. People say ignorance is bliss, but not when it comes to intercultural competence. Knowledge should be acquired and shared. I plan to share what I have learned. What good is it if we keep it to ourselves? None. No one stops and asks the deep analytical questions. We make assumptions about a culture and move on, without paying any heed to the stories of those people. A Thousand Splendid Suns is a powerful and moving story. A story that highlights the struggles of women in Afghanistan. The women felt displaced in their own countries, striving for an identity in the midst of war. Cultural practices changed from city to city. Where was home to the women? In Kabul? In Herat? At home? With their children? The women in the novel experienced displacement and loss but found happiness in their own being, in their family. Understanding the role of women is important in Afghan culture. As a sojourner, I cannot expect them to change to my way of life. In a sense, I have to understand and respect their way of living. However, I must also be cautious not to overdue my welcome. Other cultures do not like when we try to work our way into their culture and social groups. There needs to be a balance. As an expert, I need to know my limits and I cannot compromise my beliefs in order to be accepted. See PowerPoint on website: http://interculturalcompetenceromania.weebly.com/resources.html

Attach any additional pictures, video clips, web links or resources that you found that would support the content of this book.
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